NMC proposes restoring 10-year limit for MBBS completion under draft regulation changes

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has proposed changes to the Graduate Medical Education Regulations (GMER), 2023, that would allow MBBS students up to 10 years to complete their medical education, including the compulsory rotatory medical internship.

The proposal, published as a draft amendment on the commission's website, seeks to restore the earlier completion timeline that was shortened in 2023.

The NMC has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public within 30 days.

Under the proposed revision, students would be permitted to continue the undergraduate medical program for a maximum of 10 years from the date of admission, including the internship period. The provision aligns with the NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021.

The commission has not proposed any change to the existing rule governing the first professional MBBS examination.

“Provided that under no circumstances the student shall be allowed more than four attempts for the first year (First Professional MBBS) and no student shall be allowed to continue the undergraduate medical course after 10 years from the date of joining the MBBS course (including continuous rotatory medical internship),” the draft amendment issued on May 18 said.

The proposed amendment would effectively reverse a change introduced by the NMC in June 2023, when the maximum period allowed for completing the MBBS program was reduced from 10 years to nine years.

If approved, the revised regulation would once again extend the overall duration available to students for completing all academic requirements and the mandatory internship.

According to an official, the proposed relaxation is intended to support students who encounter academic difficulties, health-related challenges, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances during their medical studies.

The official said the additional time would provide greater flexibility for students to complete their education without losing eligibility due to delays beyond their control.

The NMC will finalize the amendment after reviewing feedback and suggestions received on the draft regulations.